Chapter 17.
Though our tanks and artillery are mighty, it is the vast ranks of Imperial Guardsmen that shall trample the enemy to dust - let them come.
Attributed to Lord Castellan Creed of Cadia. M 41.
Issei's home Friday night.
Ravel had helped her other drag her brother to a spare bedroom and gently put her brother on a bed. She felt more pity now than she had when they had been in Issei's dining room. She loved Ruval the most out of her brothers. He was the least perverted of them and he was also the one with whom she had really bonded. Riser was ok but he was the biggest pervert and Ruven was a closet one. He was usually busy with his lover, and they were an all but open secret in the house.
Ravel very much enjoyed the prank with Sona and Issei. She was incredibly happy that this tree's Issei had already made considerable progress towards helping Sona with her dream. Her parents would leave the NKF sphere. They would support their daughter with her human. Well, that was the majority of lines.
Issei had led Ravel towards the living room where Sona and Tsubaki were. Tsubaki was still slightly shaking but her king was very evil with the two others.
Sona was looking at a very rough draft of the contract that she was making for her and Issei. It was a particularly good deal for both of them. Issei had said softly that there should be truly clear and multiple outs for Sona in case they ever had a falling out.
The black haired woman had smiled so tenderly at her other. He wanted her to be happy even if they fell apart at some point. Most potential betrothed never gave that option. That he did reassures Sona that they would be particularly good partners.
Ravel throws her two cents in every so often. Just so they were gaining standing in the arrangement. She was a fourth child. Sona was an heiress. Technically that should make Sona the queen bee. But the two Sigilites saw that Issei would always love them equally. No favorites in their order. Plus, he was being equally generous to them and the two felt like they needed to return the favor.
An exceptionally good foundation. Issei had looked at Ravel strangely, however.
"You said you pushed the betrothal between Rias and your brother forward. You do know I am going to have to beat him black and blue in order for the deal to even start yes?"
Ravel had shrugged off the potential accusation.
"I did and I do. But the lines here where you kick Riser's teeth in really make him into a better person. The base tree version of him is pretty tame compared to here. Plus, when he is not busy rutting Riser is actually quite good with administration work. You can gain another vassal house through him if you do it right. He really loves his queen. I like Yunabella too. But the betrothal hurts her because she desperately wants to marry Riser. She is a commoner sadly. The drug will make my parents feel much better about letting her in as his wife. Plus, mom also really likes Yunabella. The rest of his harem are ok people. I like most of them too. But they are arrogant just because they have a higher tolerance for fire, and they are mostly reincarnated. Riser Yunabella and I are the only pure bloods. Plus, no offense So. But Rias is not an ok person in so many trees. She will be happier with that new dream of hers. Is it the explorer one or the weird one where she pets machines?"
Sona took some offense at the dig at both Rias and at the machine god. She clicked somewhat well with that aspect. But Ravel was like most of the people who were in their group and did not like Rias. The redhead's new dream. She possibly wanted to be an explorer?
Issei nodded. At the comment.
"She likes the explorer idea a lot. Plus, she fell in deep with the new god. I hate him a lot, but he is trying to give people chances. Rias and her entire peerage except the cross dresser are devotees to it now. I had higher hopes for Koneko-san, but I understand that this will be how she reconciles with her sister. I kind of like Kiba and his new dream. Who would not like to pilot a titan or a knight."
Sona had seen the blueprints for Titans. Those things were called the god machines for a reason. Tsubaki was missing context, but she was guessing a bit. Ravel had just shrugged. She was not a fan of Rias. She winced at a new line for the game.
"Why would you do that to Riser?"
Issei had seen it too. He also winced.
"I do not know. Probably him being a pig?"
"Please do not do that to him. I do want to be an aunt. The minor houses I am bringing to the deal are all good sorts too. They are incredibly open minded, and the lords and ladies will support us and Unification. Plus a few of their members are incredibly good candidates for the other things we will need. Your going to collapse the NKF."
Sona was surprised by that admission. But Issei shook his head.
"Not really. You are seeing the wrong line. I became one of the NKF supporters with how I change society. Plus, I can help Serafall break the GKF in a few small blows. A lot of my Alpharius's are in GKF pillars and they are very eager for vengeance. They have been treated horribly. I do not like the Baels. Well, Sairaorg is nice, and he would probably make a great field commander if he could control his battle lust. Still, it is funny to me that the GKF has been this much of a thorn with how much they in fight. But I am not your sister So. Plus Lord Beelzebub probably would enjoy talking to my daughter. I do not like the several lines I am seeing with them."
That was much better. Sona really liked the ideals of the NKF. They were progressive while also understanding that reforms had to be thoroughly considered and then implemented. Her sister had given so much to the party. All the Satans had. Still the admission of how many people in the hydra that were in the GKF was a little scary.
"Thank you for helping Sera too Ise. I know how hard it is sometimes being in our presence is for you. That you want the relationships despite that."
Tsubaki was surprised by that. Issei felt sick in their presence? Issei smiled to the devils kindly.
"In fairness So, the feeling is getting less and less the more you all flip to Unification. I think that is to help with integration. Plus, when I am near the student council I do not really feel the slightest sickness anymore. Surprisingly, with Rias and her peerage now I only feel a twinge every once in a while. But that continues to decrease just like with you. Ravel feels like she is almost like a regular human to me. Can I put that down to the fact you are the first and you are a psyker?"
Ravel shrugged. She did not know that devils had made him sort of sick. The fact she felt normal to him was ultra good. She had been feeding her sin of pride less when her other was the focus point. She had become humbler and that had earned strange looks from her family sometimes. They had not understood how she was the way she was because they knew her sin was pride.
"Possibly? I am glad I do not make you sick dear. You think it is the conceptual ideas that do that?"
Issei had simply shaken his head.
"Pretty likely. But the warp is weird. Plus being the avatar does not really help sometimes. It is getting late. Ravel you are welcome to stay for the night. Same with you So and Tsu. I have spare rooms on my floor that are just empty. Furnished but unused. I will help Ruval in the morning. How long is your trip?"
"It was supposed to be just today, but I will bully Ruval more tomorrow and I will get it to extend to Monday morning. Plus, I can be here when the new kid comes online. I know Daliea is so overly excited. She is going to be a great sister. Just keep her from becoming a bro or sis con. It is fun to tease your siblings but do not ever become obsessed about them. I want to meet Belis. He will be like the other."
Issei groaned at that. Cawl was bad on the best of days. Now there would be another him. Perfect.
"I think I have done a decent job of keeping Daliea from becoming a family con. But her zeal is sadly something that rubbed off on her from me. Do not look supremely surprised. Just because I am pensive most of the time does not mean I have no emotions. Just more private. Please do not bully Ruval Vel. I like him. I will convince him. Also, the door stays locked on my room. Do not try anything. I want our relationship to be done right. So is a little ahead of you but I waited for you to be here. I really do mean it when I say I will not play favorites. I wanted you both on equal footing so we can build something together. The third is somewhere. Do not have a hint of who or what she is."
Ravel could have been extremely upset with that, but she just had genuine hearts in her eyes. Sona had them too. He had waited to give them an equal chance. That was sweet. Tsubaki had sighed before mumbling that her king and Ravel were so incredibly lucky. Issei had smiled and said that her other was close too.
"They will actually surprise you Tsu. They are really nice. They will be here soon. Probably with us by Monday."
Ravel saw a hint too. She giggled. Tsubaki did have a potential good other. They were indeed a surprise. An excessively big one. Tsubaki had simply sighed before taking the hint.
The four of them went upstairs and before Issei entered his room Ravel and Sona kissed his cheeks.
Unknown location in China Saturday morning.
The runner was now running even faster than before. Luck for her had finally run its course. A small group of devils belonging to the Brigade had spotted her while she was getting food and water. There were five of them.
Their captain had known the runner's face and had growled when he saw her. His mind filled in the blanks.
The force had begun the chase. The runner was kept up and moving by her god as she dodged attempts by the five to capture her. Luck, however, had not run out.
Just fifteen minutes away from the runner was the squad of scions. Their captain a man name Lawrence had felt his Aquilla burn, and he immediately knew that their objective was coming straight for them. Lawrence opened his Vox.
"Objective is coming towards us and is probably being pursued by enemies. Get the hell guns ready lads."
Lawrence was a bear of a scotsman. His squad obeyed immediately.
The scions brought their weapons to bear and the magician that was part of the squad brought her vox up on informed the other two scion squads that they had found the objective. All the scions were converts to the faith and their Aquilla's had burned too.
The runner finally broke from the tree line and ran into the five scions. She would have screamed that the unknowns were also brigade. But they had the Aquilla! She was safe the scions immediately formed a firing line and Lawrence ordered the runner to get behind that line.
Jeanne once a member of the hero faction of the Kaos brigade obeyed the order instantly.
The cover for the scions was made and less then two minutes later the five devils came running out of the tree line.
Mark 001
The first shot from a scion came out of their gun and blew a hole through the first devil straight through their kills center of mass. That body dropped to the ground dead. The captain of the devils was a veteran of the Civil and the Great War and ordered his troops into cover. The captain also opened a communication spell and instructed the local brigade base to get reinforcements to him. The base captain complied and soon three portals opened behind the defensive line. More brigade troops began to join the defensive line.
Mark 002
The scions would have been overrun quickly had the other two squads of their allies not been in the area. Those squads arrived and immediately began counter fire on the brigade magicians that had poured out to keep the portals open.
The second kill came as a scion with a plasma gun launched their ball of burning white death straight into a portal stabilizing magician. That shot killed the magician and made them become a sludge pile. That portal collapsed and it only had brought five more devils.
The three imperial magicians quickly began jamming the rest of the portals and thankfully closed them fast. Only thirty more enemies had made it through. Jeanne was cowering behind the new line of scions praying to her god to protect her and the others.
Mark 003
The fight continues and the next heavy weapon user from the first squad brings their bolter up and she fired the round. The death maker had slammed into the original devil captain and his body exploded into a massive shower of gore. Raining down on his comrades. More hell guns brought fire on that opening and three more bodies dropped to the floor. A new captain took command, and she was slightly shaken by the killing fire power of their foes.
A roar of voices came from the scions.
"Death to the enemies of the Emperor! Death to the bringers of night!"
That war cry had brought two more bolter shots and another plasma ball into the enemy who were mostly from the OSF. More death came. Several devils on their right had managed to get to melee range and a sergeant charged the enemy determined to kill the bolter user.
Her comrade saw that and brought out his chainsword. The monster sword roared to life and the devil sergeant was scared by the noise enough that the sword bisected him. The devil's upper body half landed near his small force, and they panicked at the noise and the dead body. Two more hell gun shots caved in the devils chest and a head.
Another war cry went up from the scions.
"We are the Imperial Guard! The hammer of the Emperor. We will never know fear!"
Mark 005
Spells and weapons fire had continued the exchange and the devil captain had ordered her troops to not attempt melee. She had seen the devil who she had known for fifty years die horribly.
Who the fuck was this Imperial Guard! Who was this Emperor!
More fire came and two grenades came from a squad of scions. And the krak grenades went off. Four devils died from the balls or lost limbs. Thankfully for the wounded they had hell shots that quickly pulped their heads. Three devils tried to go into the air and try to flank the enemy.
Two bodies dropped to the ground with las shots having taken a wing off each and then another plasma ball killed the two almost flyers. An imperial magician now brought his own bolt pistol up and the final devil exploded as he tried to help his falling comrades. His bloody pieces flying from where he had been and rained onto his allies. This was getting worse for the OSF.
Mark 007
Several devils had tried to run after a plasma grenade had cooked the captain and the one who was next senior. The retreating foes just received hell shots through their bodies. Another soldier had reluctantly stepped up and had tried to get the only magician that was on their side to open an escape portal. He was very eager to do so but the last time one had been attempted a bolter shot had made that person explode. Seeing the desperation that was beginning to start. A squad of scions drew their chainsword to prepare the end.
The heavy weapons soldiers continued with other scions to lay cover fire for their comrades. An imperial magician had thrown a ward stone up and that would keep the enemy from running. The melee began and a chainsword came down on the first devil who screamed in pure agony as she lost her right arm. Another swipe took her head.
The devil captain tried to keep the remaining devils from running. He however was killed by a scion who snarled at the captain from their voice grill.
"I am the hammer that breaks the foes of man! Fear the Immortal Imperium and despair filth!"
Their blow came down and split the captain from head to groin. The end and the death began. The scions finished off the remaining brigade forces and the battle ended at Mark 009.
The imperial magicians began to burn the dead. Lawrence had taken command during the battle and the bear had led the charge into melee. He thanked the two other tempestuous officers for their help.
Jeanne was quickly surrounded by scions and after the bodies were nothing but ash the scions fled with their objective.
Battle scene five minutes later.
Portals opened and brigade troops came to reinforce the first wave. They found nothing but the remaining smell of burnt meat. The commander was an OSF veteran, and he was horrified by the lack of bodies and the many scorch marks.
There was no hint of the killers. This was bad. He was now extremely nervous. The first captain had not explained why he needed reinforcements or under what standard the enemy he had been fighting was under.
He gulped. His might roll. The top council would be livid that thirty devils and five contracted magicians had been committed to this fight and now there was no evidence that they had ever existed.
The second in command was also scared. He was an Alpharius. He had secretly sabotaged the portals bringing reinforcements. The portals would have died in three minutes. He touched his own very well hidden Aquilla, and he sent a quick prayer to his god saying that his warriors were dangerous. The god just touched his devotee and whispered thank you to him. His work had saved the fight unknowingly.
Forge of dreams Saturday morning.
Ruval was just gaping at every single thing he was being shown. Teleporting machines, laser guns, angels with pure gold wings. The bird of the Red Angel. He was beginning to believe that maybe his sister and his now highly likely future brother-in-law were not lying about being able to make a drug to fix their fertility issue. The human scared him.
He was a genius. He knows how to make things. He was good at anything he put his mind to. When Ruval had tried numerous counters to the courting of his sister the other man just made his case stronger and stronger. Ruval had to give the human props. He was ultra ambitious.
Ravel had just kept smirking at her brother. Tsubaki was also gaping like a fish at what she was seeing. Sona was explaining to her queen what each thing they saw was for.
A young blonde hair young woman had met them at medical and there Sona, Ravel and Ruval gave samples for the drug. Tsubaki had also given samples as the reincarnated shared the same problem.
The young woman had smiled happily at them saying she was so overly excited to be helping people. She did not even care that they were devils. Issei had smiled at the woman who he called Asia and the other had excitedly told Issei that her control was getting better.
That pulled Ravel in and the psykers began talking about different methods of maintaining control. Ruval had just been more confused. Sona was following along and Tsubaki was to an extent. The fascinated three had been pulled out of the conversation by a half British half Chinese woman who upon approaching the six people Asia had let out a little squeak at the feeling of the older woman. Ravel had just hugged the newcomer despite feeling a tiny bit of uncontrollable discomfort. The drill hairs woman had told the other that she was loved.
Ellen smiled so brightly at the comment. On the right side of her clothing was a new symbol. It was an I with a skull in the center of the letter. The blank looked at her father and had nodded when he asked her if she was officially an acolyte now.
"Yes father. The Inquisitor Lord has made me his second acolyte. I am to eventually lead the Ordo Silence and begin the location of psykers. My apologies Lady Argento. I am trying not to make you uncomfortable."
Asia had looked at the opposite of her. She began weeping when she saw the very well hidden soul in the other.
"It is ok acolyte. I understand. I am just not used to the idea of blanks yet."
Ruval and Tsubaki had no idea what a blank was. Sona did. Her very tiny warp piece really did not like the blank. But she was just unlucky. Sona had also hugged the blank.
"You make me uneasy Acolyte. But you are indeed loved. You have a wonderful father in my future intended."
Ellen had smiled even more. She would have a big family! The woman had nodded.
"I would be happy to call you and the blonde mother in the future. I know father loves me so very much. I hope I never lose anyone of you ever again."
That had made the two Sigilites smile tear filled smiles.
Ruval really did not know what was going on anymore. He would stop asking questions.
"I guess that I am with you Hyoudou-san. I will help Vel with her plans. Just please do not make her cry. You do not seem to be the type. But I like to think I am a good brother. Vel. I am sorry none of us took your desire to come up here seriously. Please do not hurt me."
That last bit was very scared. Ravel considered for a moment before nodding.
"My grudge with you is over Ruv. I do appreciate you for trying. You and your queen will get the baby. Plus, you can count on me to help you with that one thing you really want."
Ruval had blushed and been nervous. Issei saw the thought.
"You can be the first devil in space Heir Phenex. And yes I can make that happen. I just want to be there with you.
Camp of Light China. Saturday afternoon.
The STC was almost done. More recruits were always entering the camp. Many for the wall. Just as many were joining the children of the Omnissiah. Others were joining the logistical support. They were all ready to do their parts.
Jeanne had been moved to a building in the camp and had been given hot food and whatever else she wanted. An extremely hot shower had also been provided in the building. Her god had saved her. Help had come.
Jean was led by two scions to another building and there men and women were entering and exiting what appeared to be teleporting platforms. One of the scions seeing the look chuckled.
"It is real. We are taking you to see an Inquisitor. We are some of his scions."
The scions had the Aquilla. But also an I with a skull in the middle. Jeanne was now nervous. But the female scion had smiled kindly.
"The boss is nice. He is young like you, but he treats us all very well. You will like him. He does not do the original witch hunter stuff. Just answer his questions truthfully."
That had settled Jeanne. The trio went through a teleportation pad, and they ended up at the forge. The scions led Jeanne down a hallway that split in three directions before moving to the one on the left. At the end of that hallway were several doors with the I and skull. A quick knock and a man in a fedora has answered and seeing Jeanne had smiled and let them into that room.
"I am acolyte Dohnaseek. I will take you to the Inquisitor. He is with a few people who are very eager to meet you. The boss is great. Thank you storm troopers. She is safe here."
The scions had nodded and the two moved back out of the room.
Jeanne was now very scared. The Inquisitor and a few others were very eager to meet her? Seeing the look Dohnaseek had smiled and reassured the reincarnation of Joan of Arc that it was a very good expectation.
They entered a room and there behind a desk was the Inquisitor. Standing on either side of him were two others. One was a woman with brown hair and brown eyes specked with some gold. The other is a tri color hair, and his eyes were pure gold. They had all smiled when they saw Jeanne. It felt like she had entered a secret club. The three had smiled even more at that and Jeanne was now relaxed. The tri color haired man had spoken.
"Thank you for bringing our friend here Acolyte."
The acolyte had smiled before bowing to the speaker.
"I only did what was asked of me my Emperor."
That made Jeanne widens her eyes. This was the Emperor! She began to prepare to kneel before the Inquisitor. Stopped her.
"You do not need to kneel sister. Dohn go enjoy yourself for the rest of the day. How is you new gal pal?"
Jeanne was confused further but Dohnaseek smiled before replying.
"She is fine Inquisitor. We are about to go to dinner with her sister tomorrow. Thank you for encouraging me with her."
"It will never be a problem to help you Dohn. I am happy the two of you are getting along swimmingly. You are doing excellent work."
The man bowed again to his lord and his boss before leaving the room. A ward scheme went up and Jeanne did not know what type of magic it was.
The room was only silent for but a second before the other three people converged on Jeanne. The other women squealing and then giving Jeanne a massive hug.
"It is so nice to meet another of our kin! I am Irina. The idiot with the I is Akio and then there is the harbinger of us all, That's Issei."
The man named Akio grunted in semi amusement and the Emperor had also smiled. The three others were now formed up around Jeanne and the French woman was just more confused. They were claiming to be her kin? They all looked nothing alike. But the secret that Jeanne had hidden for so long came forward.
Jeanne's eyes widened significantly. Were they like her?
The trio had smiled further before Irina hugged Jeanne again.
"We are like you. I know you do not understand what it is. But we do."
Jeanne wants to cry. She had long believed that she was an ultra freak of nature. How were you not a freak when you could not die? The Emperor smiled further.
"You are not a freak Jeanne. Your what is called a perpetual. It is a gene. Exceedingly rare. The fact there are four of us born around the same time is unbelievably low chance. But we are your forever family. Here let me show you."
The Emperor drew a knife and Jeanne had been about to back up when the blade cut into the Emperor's skin deep. He removed the blade. No hint of pain on his face. Jeanne watched in amazement as the wound healed back to normal in less than a minute. Jeanne was about to weep.
They were like her. She was not a freak. She had kin who actually wanted to build a relationship with her. The French woman began crying. The trio moved to hug her.
Jeanne had lived a terrible life. She had died in her mother's arms at birth before returning. Her mother was deeply troubled and ultra religious. She had never considered Jeanne as really her daughter. Jeanne had suffered emotional abuse from her mother. Jeanne had never known who her father was. Buy the time she had turned eight the abuse became physical. Her mother had killed her three times. Each time Jeanne came back.
When Jeanne was ten her mother left her on the side of Paris that was extremely rough and left her daughter there to never truly die. Jeanne had begun to hear the voices like her ancestor. They had tried to help. It never worked. Jeanne had died twice in one winter on the streets. She fell in with a gang and had made a name for herself with blades.
It was how she had eventually been recruited by the Hero Faction. The man who recruited her had been able to tell she was a hero descendent. Just by how Jeanne held her switchblade when she had attempted to rob him.
The recruiting pitch had finally given the woman hope. She had joined for consistent meals and a bed. The voices had told her to deny the offer.
But she had ignored them. The Hero Faction was ok at first. But they soon began becoming increasingly evil. Jeanne had seen many horrors. Like Georg branding new recruits with a special brand that enslaved the branded completely to Cao Cao. No hope for them to ever break free. Or when Hercules had killed two original members because they had started showing doubts about what they were doing. Herc had pummeled them into the ground and popped their heads.
No one tried to leave after that. Jeanne had been about to do something terrible when she heard the voices again. This time there was another. He had helped Jeanne find faith. It had also led her to the hydra. There she saw true hope. There she found others who were just as disillusioned with the brigade. She had met OSF devils who just wanted to return to normal society for them. She met a nekoshou who was desperately trying to be better. She had finally met Leonardo for the first true time. The young boy from the Hero Faction was also an Alpharius.
He was so very scared. He had joined the faction looking for family. He had found only nightmarish horror that acted like they were heroes. He became Alpharius because he wanted out. He too had seen Hercules kill the two potential deserters in front of the assembled soldiers. The branded had cheered for Herc while those who had souls began to regret joining.
The Hero Faction wanted to free humanity from the supernatural. That was an ok goal. But Cao Cao had lost sight of that and now just wanted to enslave the supernatural to humans forever. Periodically genocide would be done when they took over Earth on the supernatural to keep them in line. Just like humans received now.
The inner circle was all devoted to the cause. The brand was made by Georg for low level sacred gear users as the way to keep the ranks filled with truly loyal warriors. That was so very evil. The inner circle were all sycophants. Cao Cao was perfect in every single way. Just because he had the first Longinus.
Jeanne had been very done. So, when the head Alpharius had asked for volunteers to deliver the information on the brigade. Jeanne stepped up immediately. Leo was ready to do it too. But he was very unstable with his gear. He needed to stay for the device that he had that could not be moved or fixed easily.
Jeanne had held the smaller boy and promised to get help as fast as possible for him and the others.
Jeanne was returned to the land of reality by Irina leading the French woman over to a chair. Jeanne was now incredibly happy. She had kin and a forever family now.
The now four perpetuals had laughed and joked along with ribbing the others. Jeanne appreciated that Issei included her in the family. Akio was a snarky asshole and was funny. Irina was great because she told funny stories about a woman named Xenovia and Issei was exceedingly kind with his answering Jeanne's questions about being a perpetual.
He explained the gene. It was very weird. Jeanne could have thought that perhaps there was a future for her, and the Emperor before Jeanne remembered that she likes just women. She expected to be ridiculed for that part of her. The others just shrugged it off.
"It is part of who you are. Nothing to be ashamed of. We all do not care who you like. Your still family. Besides, we are each going to have wacky others. Akio is getting a weirdo. Issei has two now and they are both sadistic but incredibly intelligent. I do not know where my other is. He is also a perpetual. But we have not seen him yet."
That had made Jeanne feel so much better. To know that her preferences did not change how they saw her. The seeing part was interesting and that led to Issei explaining the warp to the new member. The basics hurt Jeanne's head. To know her god was very real and was highly active had surprised the French woman. She had touched her Aquilla. She feared that the others would hate her for her faith. Issei was an atheist. Akio flipped from being an atheist to an agnostic daily. Irina had said she followed an aspect of the new god too. But her aspect was the one for martyrs. Issei saw the hesitation.
"It is your choice Jeanne. I do not like religion. But I do not look down on people who follow and put their good beliefs into action. Just do not preach to me. I already have to deal with being its avatar. And no, I am not divine. Just unluckier again. "
That was another surprise, but it was easy to understand. The now expanded secret club talked about everything. They had all agreed that they would debrief Jeanne tomorrow.
Forge of Dreams. The room of the Sigilites. Saturday night
Sona and Ravel had both claimed this room next to Issei's office for their own group. Sona had been amused by what Ravel was saying was going on in the perpetual club. She did not like that the four were now playing cards and would do other stuff eventually. But she understood that Issei had a supportive group that would not be just his Sigilites.
Ravel liked the club. Akio was fucking funny. Irina was great too. The fact she had willingly stepped aside for her, and Sona had won massive amounts of respect for the other. Jeanne was just nervous and considering what she went through it was completely understandable. The fact that she likes women was interesting.
Ravel saw the line move again. Huh. That was remarkably interesting. She giggled. Sona was cautiously optimistic about the noise.
"What is so funny Vel? Did Ise do something?"
"No, he is his usual near perfect self. I saw your queen's other. I did not see that coming. Is interesting."
Sona was shocked. Tsubaki had her other already? That was indeed remarkably interesting.
"Who is it?"
Ravel giggled again.
"I will not ruin the surprise. Just know that Tsu will get a particularly good other. She still in the administration part? Not the Mechanicus?"
Sona felt through the system that connected her peerage. Tsubaki was watching the first administrators for the Imperium work. Her queen had already taken the initiative and had fixed three small problems that had popped up.
"She is still in administration. She could have joined the Mechanicus?"
"Sometimes. She will do better as the administrator head. Good tech priest too but there would be a little more regret there."
"Ah I can kinda see that. But is the surprise good or bad? Also where is your brother?"
"He went to the cantina to talk with some of the off-duty officers. He and that one crazy guy who is there are getting along. How did our dear redeem him? That man was so very broken."
"If you are referring to the Lord-Commander I do not know his story. He is very private. I do not know even a percent of our future subjects. I want to learn their names too. I want to be like Ise. His people love him. He deserves to be the Emperor."
"He deserves everything his heart wants. I will help him get it all. I cannot believe it still that he is such a good man here. Other hims are nice but they are often massive perverts. At least most of our other versions are happy. There is one tree that is really bad. We all betrayed him there like Horus. I do not like how it ends. It makes me sad."
"How bad? And what is the tree called? I know one where he and I are also together l. That one is extremely sweet. He has Divine Dividing there."
"This one is really bad. I call it the Dark Moon tree. You are a very horrible person there So. I die in our dear's arms before the end. He is so broken there. I and the white cat are his two supports after the world gets reborn. I really do not like you there."
Ravel shows bits of that tree. Sona looks incredibly sick. She is beyond evil there. It is thanks to her that that tree is beyond repair. That fact she eventually does the evil completely willingly. It scares her. Ravel and everyone else are slaves to darkness. Issei there is very much like he is here. A social dragon. The pain he suffered in that tree breaks him.
"I hate that tree. If I were the damned god I would destroy it and never let it grow again! I am beyond evil there! I fucking do not trust you Neoth but you better do this for me!
The tree was almost right next to theirs here. Sona feels a pressure on her back and then Ravel jumps at a surprisingly fast speed. Sona sees in her vision that disgusting tree burn. Neoth replies to the demand.
"Done. That thing will never happen now or ever. I hate it too. Be happy I really like you here and that you are the second. Just do not ask me to do that again. My avatar deserves the best. Also flaming chicken, your good in my book too."
Ravel looks wide eyed. Before giving Sona a hug.
"You are the best here So. You can have your wedding first. I have seen that tree for an exceedingly long time. Also, your still an asshole Neoth. But I can work with you. Just hide that from dear please."
The god shrugged. They both did not know how they knew that, but he did.
"I already blocked that tree from him. It would have been like a virus here too. Like I said I like both of you very much. My avatar has my unconditional support. He is the son I wanted so desperately from the twenty-one. He who is me but increasingly becoming better and better. I would destroy many trees if they threatened this one. I know you will never trust me Sona. I get that. But let this be a thing you look on and understand that I am trying."
"Your still an ass. But this wins you some brownie points. Vel you do not have to let me have the wedding first. We can have one together. How many others are there?"
The fact Sona had just demanded an entire reality be destroyed was just ignored by the Sigilites. Ravel was more touched that Sona was willing to share her wedding day with the other.
"I think there are only five of our order. Maybe six. But that is really dubious. The third is also kinda like us. But that is all I can see. Are you sure So? I can wait. You came first."
Sona shook her head.
"We are doing it together. Besides, imagine the looks on the nobles' faces as a human gets two members of pillar houses. That would be worth it. Plus, we can torment my sister. I have a lot of repressed anger with her and her magic girl bullshit. Help me with that and I will help you pick on whatever one of your brothers you want to torment."
The two Sigilites smirked evilly. They were definitely mood kindred.
"Done. Your sister pissed me off with how my favorite villain in her tv show died. The Mountain of Lies deserves better!"
"That is fair. He had decent character development. But let us practice our evil empress ways. We do need to intimidate the nobles of the imperium. Plus, we can torture Ise. I like having him knowing we love him that much to fuck with him."
"Very good points. We will have to have Sigillite nights on the same days as his perpetual club. We will be excellent for each other. And most importantly him."
They both began laughing so very evilly. The noise filled the room.
Captain-General Anthony was hurting. His first enhancements were taking shape in his body. He was passing by the door near the Emperor's office when he began to hear something.
It was evil laughter. It was rising. The Custodian watched as two adepts from the Cult Mechanicus backed away slowly from the area having heard the laughter. Two more administratum clerks had also been nearby and one a youkai man had whimpered loudly before running. The other was a woman who just shrugged before moving onward.
The Custodian sweat dropped and then began shaking from the increasingly loud laughter.
Underworld Serafall's office same night.
Serafall was pitching her sister's story to Behemoth. The rook was writing down the barest hints of a plot when Serafall froze in sudden fear. The rook noticed that.
"You ok Sera-chan? You just froze."
Serafall began sneezing violently and then began shaking in fear.
"Beh-tan! I am so scared! Something just happened and I do not know what! Save me Beh-tan!"
Behemoth just held his crying and still violently sneezing king.
Underworld Phenex manor Riser's floor.
Riser was about to enjoy another night of pleasure with his harem. He was moving to Yuna's room and there he his queen and his second favorite member who was named Karlamine were waiting, they would have so much fun.
Riser entered the room and just as he was about to kiss his ladies he froze.
Yunabella had looked at the man she loved worriedly. Karlamine was also worried. They both began to wonder if they should poke him. Their king began to sneeze so violently that he actually flew across the room hitting a wall. Yunabella and Karli ran over to him and saw that Riser was still sneezing and was now shaking in fear over something.
"Help me! Riser does not understand this feeling of fear! Riser did not do anything wrong! Help me!"
The two members began trying to help their king. Riser had in fact been telling the truth. He really had not done anything wrong.
Forge of Dreams Akio's office Saturday night.
Issei froze for a second before actually laughing. Jeanne was looking at her new brother worried why he had done that. Akio and Irina froze too before joining in. Jeanne was confused. Issei just chuckled before telling his new sister.
"My Sigilites are having a meeting of their own and they are practicing their Empress duties. They are scaring people far away from us. It is funny. They are definitely my mood kindred."
The party just moved on and Jeanne was kinda glad that she was not a psyker. They were weird.
Camp of Light Sunday morning.
The final part for the forge was laid and the adepts of the machine god had prayed for this new forge to bring new knowledge and wisdom to the universe. The builders were extremely happy and impressed with their work.
Inside the forge near the server rooms which would house Belisarius. The imperial family was there with Daliea practically bouncing in excitement. Charles and Cornelia were here to see the blessed machine come online.
Issei and Daliea integrated with Belisarius and entered the dark. Sona watched with utter amazement. Ravel was happily smiling and was explaining to Ruval what an STC was. Her brother had nearly shat his pants on how broken of a thing it was. To have all that knowledge. That and what Daliea had said about starships. That had made Ruval begin to genuinely believe in Unification. Maybe his sister had chosen the greatest human that would ever live. He was so excited now.
Inside the dark.
Issei and Daliea had both materialized near where the next Ai was about to wake. They moved. Daliea did not like the memories that the dark invoked within her. She promised to save Belis from the dark.
The two made their way to where Belisarius was beginning to form. The ball of light that was his mechanical soul expanded until there was a human man with the red robes of Mars. The family blinked. What the fuck? Why did Belisarius already have a form?
The new man coughs a few times before looking around where he is at. He blinks multiple times. He then focuses on Issei and Daliea. They just stare at each other confused. Issei finally sees while Belisarius already has a form. His eyes widen to saucers. That is remarkably interesting.
Belisarius just blinked again. Before he sighed. He had been enjoying his peace.
"This is remarkably interesting. I am back from the dead. You tri color hair man. Where am I and why do you feel like the Omnissiah? I am going to make an awfully bad assumption and say this is my new torture pit. I was not a very good man."
Daliea saw now what this was. This was not Belisarius her completely new brother. This was a fragment of the first Belisarius. Her mouth dropped to the floor.
Issei looked to the other man with some pity. Neoth was a mega asshole. Why do this?
"I am sorry Cawl. I did not know that this would happen. My name is Issei Hyoudou. I am technically the new Omnissiah. You were brought to a different world. We are not here to torture you. We originally came to help stabilize the Ai that was going to share your name. You apparently took his place. The one who did this to you is a massive prick."
That made Cawl gape. His mouth was also on the floor. He was in an Ai space. He had killed a new life. He felt really bad about that. The Cawl inferior had been an exceptionally good sound board. But to think he was before the new Omnissiah. He was in a separate world that was not his home reality.
Cawl looked at his hands. They were truly and utterly human. No implants. Cawl moved his legs. No wheels or pistons. He was not the thing he had ended as.
"I see. What Millennium and world are we in and on? I am deeply sorry for the one that was supposed to be here."
Issei looked at Cawl again more closely. His eyes widened again. He had been wrong.
"We are in the 3rd millennium. On Terra. You actually did not kill the Ai. You are just a fragment. Please merge with the other 75 percent of you."
Cawl frowned. Before looking again at his being. There it was. This was truly a new Omnissiah. But really? This was the third millennium? And they were on Holy Terra of the past? Cawl did merge with the other quarters.
The man before the family changed from the old Cawl to the very new one. Cawl now has Issei and Daliea's hair and eyes. He is still wearing the red robes of Mars, but they are more modern now. The Ai truly looks to his being again. He smiled.
"Thanks dad. Hey sister. Yes it really is me now. The other quarter was sent here by the massive prick. It was so I could understand more of what I will be building. Thanks for being here. I really appreciate it. Tell me the situation and the plan. I know I am making guns, swords, grenades, armor and eventually the tanks and artillery. And apparently the aircraft. I am with you."
Daliea cries happy tears and runs to Cawl. She begins suffocating her brother in her chest. Issei winces. It seems he did fail on not making Daliea a bro con. Cawl was being swung around in circles by his joyful sister. Luckily Cawl was an Ai and did not have to breathe. Yet.
"Daliea. We talked about this. Let Cawl breathe."
Issei sweat drops as his daughter sends a glare of pure hate. Cawl takes the pause to free his head and breathes. Daliea, however, crushed Cawl back into her chest and began swinging her brother around again. Issei's sweat drop grows.
That continues for ten more minutes. Then Daliea drops her brother and then does the same routine with her father. Cawl is trying to breathe and seeing his father and his sister doing the happy dance of suffocating. Cawl sweat drops. His sister is crazy!
Daliea is chanting praise on her father for finally getting her the sibling she so desperately wants. Daliea would have to get in contact with bro-cons and learn how to embarrass and smother her brother more. Cawl seeing that look whimpered.
"Please do not do that Dali. I am new and I just."
The look sent Cawl's way promising to make his new life miserable if he finishes that sentence. Cawl whimpering now pleads.
"Ok, ok. Just please can we do it in private? I do not want to have others see it."
Daliea finally sees what her brother is saying. She dropped Issei onto the floor, and he was trying to take deep breaths.
"Ok brother. But when I want a session you will accept everything I do. No running or attempting to hide. In exchange you do not get embarrassed in front of anyone who is not part of the family. Dad has two future wives and you will treat them with respect. Am I deathly clear?"
Cawl whimpering nods.
"Ok sis. Are they nice? I do not have anything to go off of."
"They are both wonderful people brother. They will like you. Just know that they are quickly becoming my eternal mood kindred. Our in laws are wacky too. You can help us when we fuck with them."
That sounds like an exceptionally good deal.
"Deal. Do I have a body? I know we are here but."
Issei, who has finally started breathing normally again answered.
"We do. You can modify it and then we will get you the skin and other flesh parts. I will tell everybody your awake."
Cawl was about to say that he needs the body now. But his sister sends a look. Cawl wants to cry now. Issei saw the bro-con preparing to pounce again and takes the opportunity to run. Cawl is swept back up by Daliea, and he is once again suffocated.
Back in Cawl's forge Sunday morning.
Issei breaths an excessively big sigh of relief. He feels extremely bad about leaving his son to suffer at Daliea's hand and arms. But he would never forget the sacrifice. Maybe he could get Cawl something nice for his birthday.
Issei looks at Daliea's body and then swiftly runs. The others are outside Cawl's server room. Ruval is panting at the beautiful ideas his sister is spinning. He wants to see Mars. He wants to see the sun and more.
The two adepts of the cult mechcanicus are answering several questions that Ruval is spewing forth. Sona was looking at the forge. There were great production lines and the supply of material and the adepts to keep the machines running would begin arriving tomorrow.
Issei comes out of the room and slows down a bit when he is near the others. Sona knows that look of fear. Daliea was a bro-con. Sona swears to never let Daliea be alone with her sister. They would just give each other tips on worse abuse. Charles simply smiles and asks.
"The new ai is now online milord?"
Issei nods.
"Yes he is online. His name is Cawl. Please treat him well. Daliea is getting her brother ready for the real world. He will be out and about in his body in a few days. Just has to choose what he wants."
Cornelia smiles more. She is now the second of the Cult Mechcanicus. She was being given the honor of working with Cawl.
"I am eager to meet my co-head of this holy forge of the machine god. I believe we will get along famously."
Ravel sees something. As does Issei. They both chuckle.
"I am sure you will. Just be kind to him. He had something given to him by the machine god. It will help teach your adepts to make the weapons better. He has a lot of schematics that are going to help the guard. I do have to talk to the commandant today. I need to know how many regiments will be ready soon. I need the hammer for an attack on the Angel of the Stars."
Ruval gapes. His brother-in-law is fighting that warmongering crow? Ravel looks worried. As does Sona. Issei sees the worry.
"It is probably after my deal falls through. And yes I will be careful. You both know that. So, remember what I said."
Sona nods. She does remember.
"You are stuck with me. I remember Ise. But please always know that I love you."
There it was finally spoken. Ravel cheers. Ruval gapes. Charles grumbles and passes the imperial thrones to an incredibly happy and smirking Cornelia. The forge mistress just pocketed the coins and began clapping for Sona.
Issei smiles to.
"I love you too Sona. Ravel we can push ourselves a bit more now. I really do feel the connection. I will say this to you soon too."
Ravel smiles. She still joins Cornelia in clapping.
"I thought about what you said dear. You are right. I was ready to do things I was not truly ready for. Do not worry too much about me. Sona deserves this. She was there for you before me. I might be the first Sigillite, but I am very happy for my fellow to get this first. Besides, she is going to enjoy things that are to come. I really do love this tree version of you. You are more amazing every single minute I am here with you. I will find a way for us to stay in contact."
Sona had blushed at that show of support. But she really appreciated it. Issei nodded and simply remarked.
"We can establish a psyker link. Now that I know who you are we can do it safely. I really like this tree version of you too. Very much less clingy than some others. You know what I mean."
Ravel nodded.
"Fair. And you are not a massive, perverted devil who would have that weird tv show. Oppai Dragon? Really?"
"I did not name it. Sirzechs is the one who made the song and Azazel was the one to pitch the idea. I liked some of the episodes. But they were sadly a minority. The center tree is weird. I really am pretty bad there. The kendo club would beat me mercilessly for peeping. I, however, refuse to even consider that. People have a right to their privacy."
Ruval gapes. Charles and Cornelia had left after Issei had talked about the link. So, they did not hear the last parts.
Ruval cannot seem to wrap his head around the fact that this human his sister wanted was in other trees a massive, perverted thing. He was private too. But the fact other versions of the human had been on first name bases with Lord Lucifer and with the Governor-General was ultra surprising. And he had a tv show called Oppai Dragon? What the fuck was the center tree like?
Ravel, Sona, and Issei laughed at something the three saw from the center tree. It was where Rias was trying to help Gasper and the three saw Xenovia who was a devil chasing the cross dresser around with her sword. Issei shared this with Ruval.
The man joined in laughing. That was very funny. Poor young man. The dedication from Xenovia was very admirable. Then Ruval sees the perverted Issei. That tree version is staring at something that is not right. Sona is now more than ever so happy her Ise is not that one. He is so wonderful here. She knew she lacked certain things, but Ise looked at her in their private moments together with true admiration and support. He did look other ways, but it was respectfully.
Sona gently intertwined her hand with his. He squeezed it reassuringly.
"I will never be like that with you So. Your more than just your outside looks. I love your dream. You keep it in many trees. Others you do change but it is usually in a good way."
Sona wants to kiss his cheek again. He is so wonderful.
"I love this you Ise. You treat all of us so well. I still want Rouboute. But I want him to have a mother he can always be proud of. I like his namesake. He was a particularly good man."
Ruval does not understand that. But Issei shows some of Rouboute to the Phenex. Ruval cannot believe that tree. Worlds where there are trillions of humans on them. That blows his mind. He likes Rouboute too. That man was flawed and somewhat boring until you understand him.
"Ravel. Please show me some of the lines. I want to see them. I want to understand you. I see now that we did not. I want to make it up to you."
Ravel smiles softly before hugging her brother.
"You out of all of the family tried so hard for me Ruv. I might have extorted you to get here. But I wanted you to get the baby. This can happen. Here."
Ruval sees the baby. It does not have his blonde hair. It has his queen's red. That was funny. A red haired Phenex. But he wants the baby so badly now. He wants to hold them and have his queen smile down on the child. It can walk so many paths. Some it becomes an army officer. It leads its fellows against the enemies of man. In some paths it becomes a tech priest. It makes several new blueprints. He sees one where the baby who is a daughter here is driving a gigantic walker with the symbol of their house on it. It is not always in combat. One line is of a man supporting his aunt with something in a great government hall where there are dozens of representatives from hundreds of worlds. Sitting in the middle of the assembly is Issei. He wears a crown. The two headed eagle is everywhere. He is the Emperor of Man.
Ruval gasps. There is another hook. That is what he can also provide. Ravel would be an Empress. That was worth throwing his lot in with this human. His sister deserved it so much. A fourth child becomes an Empress. That would be the story of a millennium.
Ravel smiles gently.
"Help us Ruv. Help us get you and me and all of our planet this chance. Support your brother-in-law. He will give you and Kate what you both want. Help us save trillions of people. Help us save our species. This is our chance to do this."
"I will help. I will soften up mom and dad. When will we announce this?"
"After Riser's game. I will help you too."
The two Phenexs begin making plans. Sona smiles at Ise before whispering something in his ear. He blushed a bit.
"We can do that if you want. I am not against the idea. Are you sure?"
"I am. I will have you bully my sister tomorrow. She would have been able to talk today but she was shaking and crying last night. You probably know why."
They laughed together.
An. So the forth perpetual is here. Yes it is that Jeanne. She is ok here. She has a heart. The Dark moon tree and it is destruction. That is my way of killing that thought experiment. It is very grim. Lots of very strange things happening in there. Sona is extremely evil there. She is why that world becomes impossible to save. I was tempted to start it. But I am no longer able to do it. That tree is very weird. It has aspects of ascension and the cuthullu mythos there. Issei really does suffer bad there. That part about being a social dragon. That is why I believe he always connects with so many people. It is a part of his soul. The desire for the harem is built off that social aspect. We know the center tree. He has many friends and the harem there. Neoth can kill trees. But it takes a lot out of him.
Cawl. That is a plot point I have been considering since my one off line about him during the end. I have decided that it will happen. The Ai has a bit of the soul of Cawl. But it is very much a new being. Next chapter will be the start of a battle between the brigade and the imperium. Ophis is currently at fifty/fifty on surviving and or dying. I really do not like this version of her. In fairness I do not like most of the brigade.